The Canada Games flag is set to arrive in Charlottetown next week as part of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the Canada Games, Canada’s largest multi-sport and cultural event for youth. As a Canada 150 Signature project, a unique 50th anniversary Canada Games flag is travelling across Canada celebrating each of the past Host Communities. Its ultimate destination will be the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg on July 28.

The official flag raising ceremony will be held at City Hall (199 Queen Street) on Wednesday, May 17 at 5 p.m., followed by a small reception. The event will also include the Canada Sports Hall of Fame travelling exhibit featuring history and memorabilia from the 50 years of the Canada Games. The ceremony is open to the public and will run from 5 to 6 p.m. In attendance will be a number of individuals with the 2017 PEI Canada Games group, along with Charlottetown athletes and former Canada Games participants, staff and volunteers.

"We are excited to host this special event to celebrate the 50th anniversary and reflect on the great memories from the previous games hosted in Charlottetown," said Mayor Clifford Lee. "Sports and culture play a very important role within our community and the games enriched our community and left many lasting legacies for years to come."

Charlottetown hosted the 1991 Canada Winter Games and 2009 Canada Summer Games. The Canada Games are the largest multi-sport event for youth in Canada, representing the highest level of national competition for up-and-coming Provincial and Territorial athletes. Many facilities received upgrades or were created for the 2009 Games including: UPEI Alumni Canada Games Track and buildings, clubhouse at UPEI turf soccer field, two new tennis courts at Victoria Park and a full renovation and upgrade of the Memorial Baseball Field.

"The Canada Games Flag Relay is an exciting tradition that re-ignites the passion of the Canada Games in past Host Communities and spreads the spirit of the Games throughout the nation," said Tom Quinn, Chairman of the Canada Games Council. "We couldn’t be more thrilled to see the flag trek across the country celebrating all that each past host community has built for the Canada Games property."

The 2017 Canada Games Flag Relay officially launched on February 11 in Quebec City, host of the very first Canada Games back in 1967. This edition of the Flag Relay is the first time that each past Host Community is engaged and will be hosting an event to commemorate their Games.

For more information about when the Canada Games were held in our city, visit: canadagames.ca/host-societies

To find out where the flag will travel next, visit: canadagames.ca/events-calendar

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About the Canada Games

Held once every two years, alternating between winter and summer, the Canada Games represent the highest level of national competition for up-and-coming Canadian athletes.

The Games have been hosted in every province at least once since their inception in Quebec City during Canada’s Centennial in 1967. The Games are proud of their contribution to Canada’s sport development system in addition to their lasting legacy of sport facilities, community pride and national unity.The 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg are the 50th anniversary of the Canada Games and will be held from July 28th to August 13th, 2017. The 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer will be held from February 15th to March 3rd, 2019.

The organization of the Canada Games is made possible thanks to the contribution and support of the Government of Canada, provincial/territorial governments, host municipalities and the Canada Games Council.